Male Infertility and Its Correlates in Chuadanga District of Bangladesh.

Abstract

Male infertility is an escalating global health concern, yet it remains under-researched in Bangladesh. The factors contributing to this issue have not been thoroughly studied. This study aims to identify the factors associated with male infertility in the Chuadanga district of the Khulna division of Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving 690 male participants seeking infertility treatment at community clinics and hospitals within the district. Participants were recruited through a two-stage sampling technique and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The infertility status of the males served as the outcome variable, while sociodemographic characteristics, contextual factors, lifestyle behaviors, and health-related information were treated as explanatory variables. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression models. The study revealed that 16.5% of participants were classified as infertile, while a substantial majority (83.9%) was aware of their condition. Key factors significantly associated with male infertility included educational attainment (AOR = 0.239, p = .032), occupation (AOR = .317, p = .044), monthly income (AOR = 6.324, p = 0.032), monthly expenditure (AOR = 0.184, p = 0.031), type of residence (AOR = 0.139, p < 0.001), sources of drinking water (AOR = 11.615, p < 0.001), and smoking habits (AOR = 3.304, p < 0.001) in the study area. This study underscores critical factors contributing to male infertility in Chuadanga, emphasizing the need for targeted public health interventions. Strategies should emphasize promoting healthy lifestyles, ensuring environmental safety, and improving access to clean drinking water. Raising awareness and enhancing education on male reproductive health can help improve outcomes and reduce infertility rates in low-resource settings.